Our Inaugural QueerOut Awards Gala is a brand new tradition being created in the Central Valley. This year, COMMON SPACE will proudly recognize eight individuals, one nonprofit and one business for their outstanding contributions and commitment to advancing our Queer/LGBT+ community.

Nominations for our Inaugural QueerOut Awards Gala are now closed.

Awards Available for Nomination

1. Queer Hero of the Year Award

Description of Award: The Queer Hero of the Year Award recognizes and acknowledges an individual who displays courage and noble qualities. The recipient should be actively involved in the Queer/LGBT+ community where most people say they have outstanding achievements. The individual should also serve as a role model for compassion, service and be striving to make the world a better place.

2. Outstanding Queer Non-profit Organization Award

Description of Award: The Outstanding Queer Non-profit Organization Award acknowledges the outstanding accomplishments made by a 501(c)3 organization in the Central Valley. The recipient should be a non-profit organization, openly accepting of the Queer/LGBT+ community and have substantially and continuously provided support to the Queer/LGBT+ community in one or more of the following forms: financial/fundraising, legislative/legal reform, social media/influence, or hosting/sponsoring Queer/LGBT+ friendly community events for at least 2 years or more.

3. Outstanding Queer Business Award

Description of Award: The Outstanding Queer Business Award recognizes the achievements of a business that has demonstrated friendly and ethical practices along with the advancement, growth, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability of the Queer/LGBT+ community. The recipient should be a business, openly accepting of the Queer/LGBT+ community and have substantially and continuously provided support to the Queer/LGBT+ community in one or more of the following forms: financial/fundraising, legislative/legal reform, social media/influence, or hosting/sponsoring Queer/LGBT+ friendly community events for at least 2 years or more.

4. Outstanding Queer Youth Under 18 Award

Description of Award: The Outstanding Queer Youth Under 18 Award recognizes a young person that is under the age of 18. The recipient should openly identify themselves as a member or ally of the Queer/LGBT+ community and have made contributions to an LGBT+ school/club organization (GSA), church, nonprofit, or otherwise noted service in form of advocacy, awareness, or activism. Note: The recipient must be under the age of 18 at the time of our awards gala on October 13, 2018.

5. Outstanding Queer Youth Between 18-24 Award

Description of Award: The Outstanding Queer Youth Between 18-24 Award recognizes a young person that goes above and beyond to bring change to their local community. The recipient should openly identify themselves as a member or ally of the Queer/LGBT+ community and have shown substantial contributions and involvement to an Queer LGBT+ school/club organization, church, nonprofit, business, or otherwise noted service in form of advocacy, awareness, or activism in the Central Valley of California. Note: The recipient must be between 18-24 at the time of our awards gala on October 13, 2018.

6. Outstanding Contributor to Queer Life through Volunteerism Award

Description of Award: The Outstanding Contributor to Queer Life through Volunteerism Award is awarded to an individual who is actively volunteering their service to the Queer/LGBT+ community. This recipient should have volunteered, in an unpaid capacity, over 100 hours in the past year to a Central Valley nonprofit organization. Volunteering for this individual isn’t a job - it’s a passion. The recipient should openly identify themselves as a member or ally of the Queer/LGBT+ community and have a passion and drive for helping the the Queer/LGBT+ community through means of togetherness.

7. Inspirational Queer Activist Leader Award

Description of Award: The Inspirational Queer Activist Leader Award is presented to an individual who is regarded as an openly Queer/LGBT+ activist, which can be defined as a person “who campaigns to bring about political or social change.” The recipient should have a deep commitment to human rights and social justice with a proven ability to transform this commitment into effective action and have demonstrated leadership ability, creativity and integrity for at least 1 year or more.

8. Queer Diversity Advocate Champion Award

Description of Award: The Queer Diversity Advocate Champion Award is presented to a person who has provided significant and consistent contributions toward the advancement of Queer/LGBT+ community. The recipient should openly be a Queer/LGBT+ advocate which can be defined as “a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy [not necessarily political, but defines change on a grassroots level].” This individual has brought people of color (POC), oppressed voices and intersectionality to the forefront of discussions in the Central Valley for at least 1 year or more.

9. Ally of the Year Award

Description of Award: The Ally of the Year Award honors the contribution made by an individual who openly identifies as an ally to the Queer/LGBT+ community. This recipient has made contributions to our community by being a voice that inspires other straight allies by educating about Queer/LGBT+ issues, as well as standing up and speaking out for Queer/LGBT+ people for 5 years or more.

10. QueerOut Lifetime Achievement Award

Description of Award: The QueerOut Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who is openly a member of the Queer/LGBT+ community. This recipient is actively leading and pioneering equality, diversity and advancement for 10 or more years making progress their lifetime mission. The recipient should have demonstrated working with all ages of the community, implemented programs of inclusivity and maintain active involvement in current events/issues taking place in the Central Valley.